Jose Torres claims the tournament championship title over Florence. Photo by Nathaniel Lopez
The Hayden and San Manuel wrestling programs competed in the 29th Annual Coolidge Lions Club Wrestling Tournament and the Third Annual Girls Wrestling Invitational on Jan. 2 and 3. The boys spent the first day competing in team duals. While the girls competed in their individual tournament.
San Manuel’s Sienna Taylor claimed her first win of the day against Santa Cruz, winning by fall. Her next match was against Casa Grande Union High School, which she won by fall, sending her into the championship match, where she was to meet up with Salpoint Catholic. Sienna claimed another win by fall, and earned the championship title for the 120lb weight class.
Annie Nemons won her first match by fall against ALA Queen Creek. She lost her second match against Desert Sunrise. During her match with Globe she won by 7-3 decision. She wrestled against Salpoint Catholic for third but lost by fall, giving her fourth place for the 132lb weight class.
Aaliyah Anaya also won her first match by fall against Vista Grande. She lost her second match against Salpoint Catholic. She claimed the win over Casa Grande Union by fall. She lost by a technical fall during her third place match against Salpoint Catholic, giving her the fourth place medal for the 138lb weight class.
Hayden’s Ariana Arbizo wrestled against Parker High for her first match, claiming the win by fall. She ended up in the finals against ALA Queen Creek. Unfortunately, Arbizo lost by fall, making her the runner-up at the 152lb weight class.
Penelope Cruz claimed the win by fall over Vista Grande for her first match. She lost her second match against Coolidge by fall. Claiming a bye in the next round, she wrestled for third place against a different Vista Grande wrestler. Cruz lost by fall, making her the fourth place for the 165lb weight class.
Julius Pinkard jumps over Parker High to work the pin for third place. Photo by Nathaniel Lopez
On day two, the boys finished up their last round of team duals, and then began the individual tournament. San Manuel only had Jose Torres and Derek Anaya make it into the tournament. Hayden had three wrestlers make it into the tournament: Julius Pinkard, Elijah Morris, and Ben Quesada.
Hayden’s Ben Quesada suffered a close 3-4 loss against Mesa for the first round of the tournament. He faced off against Vista Grande for his second match where he lost by fall in the second period, closing out his time in the tournament.
Elijah Morris took on Mesa for the first match of the tournament, losing by fall. During his second match he won by fall over Florence. Next he wrestled Desert Sunrise and lost by fall. Wrestling for fifth place, he took on Mesa again, and lost by fall, giving him 6th place at 128lbs.
Julius Pinkard won his first match by fall against Desert Sunrise. He lost his second match against Casa Grande. In his next match against Central he won by a 16-1 tech. Wrestling for third place against Parker, he won by fall making him the 3rd place finisher at 134lbs.
Derek Anaya takes on Salpoint Catholic in his finals match. Photo by Nathaniel Lopez
San Manuel’s Derek Anaya won his first match by fall against ALA Queen Creek. He claimed the win by fall over Vista Grande for his second match. Wrestling in the championship round, Anaya faced off against Salpoint Catholic. Derek put up a fight, and suffered a close loss by 5-6 decision. Derek Anaya was the runner-up for the 159lb weigh class.
Jose Torres faced off against Salpoint Catholic for his first match of the tournament, claiming the win by fall. His next match was a 10-7 decision over McClintock. Torres met up with Florence in the championship match. It was an intense first period, but Jose was able to claim the win early, making him the champion at the 115lb weight class.
Congratulations to all our wrestlers!
Elijah Morris lifts up Florence. Photo by Nathaniel Lopez